Nov. 28, 2008

Psychology of Food and Eating

It's officially the holiday season, time for turkey, mashed potatoes, and a few more inches on our waistlines. In this segment, we'll take a look at how mood, memories and even smell influence what we put on our plates--and into our mouths.

Ira talks with food psychologist Brian Wansink about why we crave specific foods during the holidays and how our brains trick our stomachs into eating even when we're full. Rachel Herz, an expert on smell, explains how our food preferences are linked to aroma and why smells often trigger such intense memories.